Dianella tasmanica plant names &#39;TAS300&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘TAS300’ is a distinctive variety of  Dianella tasmanica,  which is characterized by its combination of presence of leaf variegation, medium-tall plant height, broad leaf blade and stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dianella tasmanica ‘TAS300’.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Dianella tasmanica disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘TAS300’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreen perennial Dianella tasmanica, which has been named ‘TAS300’. Dianella are a genus of ornamental grass-like plants. In general, Dianella tasmanica has flax-like leaves.

An application for plant breeders' rights for ‘TAS300’ has been lodged with the Australian Plant Breeders Rights Office, and was received on 16 Mar. 2007 (under Application No. 2007/097).

Parentage: The cultivar ‘TAS300’ was discovered in 1998 in Smiths Gully, Victoria, Australia, during a seedling selection of cultivated Dianella tasmanica. The parent is characterized by an absence of leaf variegation. Selection criteria for ‘TAS300’ was presence of leaf variegation.

Asexual reproduction. The new variety ‘TAS300’ was first asexually propagated by vegetative division in the state of Victoria, Australia in 1999 and has been asexually propagated since that time by division and micropropagation. The distinctive characteristics of cultivar ‘TAS300’ have remained stable and true to type through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘TAS300’ is a distinctive variety of Dianella tasmanica, which is characterized by its combination of presence of leaf variegation, medium-tall plant height, broad leaf blade and stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a Dianella tasmanica ‘TAS300’ plant at approximately 15-months of age. The plant was propagated in a greenhouse and was transferred to the field at six months and grown out in full sun for the final nine months.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of Dianella tasmanica known as ‘TAS300’ based upon observations of 15-month old plants grown in nursery pots in full sun in open beds in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australia during autumn 2007-spring 2007. Plant observations and descriptions were taken in spring 2007.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘TAS300’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1995 edition.

‘TAS300’ is an evergreen perennial Dianella tasmanica. ‘TAS300’ is a semi-erect plant with broad variegated leaf blades, weak leaf arching, green and pale yellow leaf color.

A botanical description of ‘TAS300’and comparisons with other varieties of Dianella tasmanica are provided below.

-   Technical description of the variety:     -   -   Plant characteristics.—Growth habit semi-erect, height             medium-tall (mean foliar height in a 200 mm pot 36 cm),             shoot density sparse to medium, stem internode length very             short.         -   Leaves.—Attitude semi-erect, width broad (mean 25 mm),             arching is weak, variegation present, degree of variegation             is approximately 20-30% of leaf area, glaucosity of upper             side medium to strong, upper side color (waxiness removed)             corresponds to yellow green (RHS 147A) with secondary color             yellow (RHS 12D), primary lower side color (waxiness             removed) corresponds to greyed green (RHS 191A), shape             linear, apex acute, cross section concave, margin with             spines present with weak to medium prominence, midrib lower             side with spines present with weak to medium prominence.         -   Basal sheath.—Anthocyanin coloration (summer) red-purple             with a strong intensity.         -   Basal shoots.—Attitude semi-erect, arrangement cluster.         -   Flowers.—‘TAS300’ has never been observed to flower since             its origination. Dianella tasmanica typically flowers in             spring with pale blue flower follows by green ripening to             purple colored berries.         -   Cold and heat tolerance.—‘TAS300’ has cold and heat             tolerance typical of Dianella tasmanica.         -   Drought tolerance.—‘TAS300’ has drought tolerance typical of             Dianella tasmanica.         -   Pest resistance.—No known pests.         -   Cultural conditions.—‘TAS300’ can tolerate low nutrient             conditions; it does not like continually wet soil             conditions, but can tolerate well-draining sandy soils to             very heavy clay soils. pH characteristics of the variety are             fairly adaptable. -   Comparisons with other Dianella: ‘TAS300’ is a more attractive     ornamental plant as compared with the parent. ‘TAS300’ is     characterized by a variegated yellow green leaf blade color with     contrasting pale yellow as compared with the parent ‘D. tasmanica’     which has no variegation of the leaf blade. Dianella ‘TAS 100’     (unpatented) is the most similar comparator variety to ‘TAS300’. In     comparison with ‘TAS100’, cultivar ‘TAS300’ has a medium-tall plant     height (approximately 36 cm) whereas ‘TAS100’ has a short-medium     plant height (approximately 25 cm). ‘TAS300’ has weaker leaf arching     than “TAS100’. ‘TAS300’ has a degree of variegation of approximately     20-30% of leaf area whereas ‘TAS 100’ has a larger degree of     variegation of approximately 30-40%. ‘TAS300’ can also be compared     to the varieties ‘Splice’ (unpatented) and ‘Rainbow’ (unpatented).     ‘TAS300’ has medium to strong glaucosity of the leaf blade upper     side whereas ‘Splice’ and ‘Rainbow’ have very weak leaf blade     glaucosity. Anthocyanin coloration is absent in the leaf blade of     ‘TAS300’ whereas it is present and strongly conspicuous in ‘Rainbow’     and present and mildly conspicuous in ‘Splice’. ‘TAS300’ has a     semi-erect leaf attitude whereas ‘Splice’ has a semi-erect to erect     leaf attitude and ‘Rainbow’ has a more erect leaf attitude. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Dianella tasmanica plant named ‘TAS300’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 